Wednesday, March 2 2005 22:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: A senior Sri Lankan official was arrested today (March 2, 2005) on the charge of stealing Indian-donated tsunami relief aid in the island's northeastern district of Trincomalee, police said.

A Commissioner of Land in Trincomalee was arrested in connection with the disappearance of 12 portable electricity generators donated by the Government of India to be used by survivors of the December 26 tsunamis, police said.

The man's identity was not given, but police said he was the highest-ranking officer taken into custody in connection with misappropriation of tsunami relief aid.

The latest arrest came as hundreds of minority Tamils staged a noisy protest in the adjoining district of Batticaloa accusing local officials of discrimination in the distribution of aid.